Many cars have stood the test of time while continuing to evolve. This includes the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, and Porsche 911. Others, however, were discontinued. These are 10 vehicles that we wish would come back.
No. 1 – Dodge Magnum
Let’s just get this out of the way — we love station wagons over at Odometer, especially ones with big engines. The Dodge Magnum fit this criteria during its short lifespan lasting 2005-08.
The oversized station wagon featured multiple powertrain options; we preferred the two Hemi V8s. The 6.1-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT-8 Magnum even delivered a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds. This was not a vehicle focused on economy.
Sadly, Dodge discontinued the Magnum wagon in favor of the Journey crossover SUV.
No. 2 – Chevrolet SS
A true sleeper, the Chevrolet SS featured a 415-horsepower V8 engine and rear-wheel drive. It could go 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, putting it ahead of some sports cars of the era.
The Chevrolet SS never dominated the market share, but it built up a sizable fanbase while winning championships in NASCAR. Unfortunately, its run ended after the 2017 model year due to GM discontinuing the Holden Commodore in Australia. The SS used the Commodore platform as its foundation.
Ever since Chevrolet axed the SS, we have pined for its return.
No. 3 – Volkswagen Rabbit
The Rabbit was not initially a standalone car. Instead, it served as the Golf Mk1 in the United States and Canada. The situation changed in 1983 as Volkswagen ditched the Rabbit name for the North American market.
However, VW revived the Rabbit in 2006 as a small, zippy hatchback that consumers could purchase for under $20,000. Its 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine delivered an admirable 28 mpg on the highway and enough torque (170 lb-ft.) for acceleration off the line.
Look, in a world of crossover SUVs, we just miss small hatchbacks that are fun to drive. More on this further down the list.
No. 4 – Dodge Viper
Some cars on this list offered off-road capability; others offered strong mpg numbers. The Dodge Viper, however, offered outright power and a fantastic design that could compete with the Corvette.
First released in 1992, the Viper didn’t have air conditioning, airbags, or traction control. It just featured a V10 delivering 400 horsepower. Dodge added more comforts and safety features with each generation, but the draw of the Viper continued to be its powerful engines.
The Viper was not long for this world, however. Dodge axed the sports car after the 2017 model year.
No. 5 – Toyota FJ Cruiser
While bulky with some unexpected blind spots, the FJ Cruiser was a fun off-road machine for multiple decades. Toyota first released the FJ Cruiser in the early 2000s, and it continued producing the SUV through the 2014 model year. However, Toyota ditched the FJ Cruiser to focus more on the 4Runner and the TRD Pro Series.
While the FJ Cruiser didn’t have the universal appeal of the sleeker 4Runner, its short wheelbase and stocky frame still pleased consumers. The available accessories, such as a snorkel, made it a blank slate for customization and personalization.
No. 6 – Honda Fit
Honda has no shortage of cars available for customers, including hatchbacks. Yet, we still miss the Honda Fit.
This little gas-saver was fun to drive, especially in the Sport trim with a five-speed manual transmission. It handled the road well even in inclement weather, it delivered surprising amounts of cargo space, and early models featured a direct USB plug for iPods.
Unfortunately, Honda ditched the little Fit to focus on its HR-V crossover.
No. 7 – Plymouth Prowler
The Plymouth Prowler was never the most popular vehicle on the planet. Chrysler sold fewer than 12,000 between 1997 and 2002. In fact, designer Tom Gale told Road & Track in 2015 that the vehicle served as an experiment in using aluminum to build cars.
Chrysler using a V6 instead of a V8 certainly didn’t serve as a selling point for the retro hot rod, but it’s a shame that it is no longer available. The Prowler was just a fun open-top car that stood out in a crowd. The world needs more of those.
No. 8 – Datsun 510
The Datsun 510, a version of the Nissan Bluebird, had a short run in the United States marketplace (1968-73). Yet, it made a big impression.
The 510 only delivered 96 horsepower with its 1.6-liter L-series straight-four, but that didn’t matter. It was affordable at the time, and it was easy to customize.
The 510 became a popular vehicle in the tuner scene, which made it unrealistic for our budget. This is why we want this classic back. We’ll let Nissan work out the logistics.
No. 9 – Dodge Dart
Like the VW Rabbit, the Dodge Dart has represented many different things throughout its history. It was a convertible cruiser at one point and a pony car at another. The Dart also became a station wagon at one point before Dodge discontinued the brand.
The Dart actually returned in 2013 as a compact sedan. It replaced the underwhelming Caliber and built on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform. This compact sedan featured a six-speed manual transmission paired with one of three available engines, the best of which offered 184 horsepower.
Like many other cars on this list, the Dart only returned for a short period of time. Dodge discontinued it again in 2016 due to the market moving more toward SUVs and crossovers.
While we love all eras of the Dart, it would be fun to see the compact sedan make a comeback. This would give Dodge something to compete with the Toyota Camry, especially as Stellantis returns to NASCAR.
No. 10 – Chevrolet Nova
The Chevy Nova started life as the Chevy II, but it underwent an official name change in 1969. Regardless of which name sat on the car, it was impossible to deny that this was a true classic for a short period of time.
The Nova became available as a coupe, sedan, and station wagon. The majority were incredible. Unfortunately, the Chevrolet model underwent some major changes in the mid-70s and mid-80s. It became a compact sedan and then a hatchback before Chevrolet discontinued it.
It’s a shame that the Nova had such a downfall. It’s time for a revival.